After Nikki Araguz, the transgender widow at the center of a controversial lawsuit, was 40 minutes late to what was supposed to be her final appearance in criminal court Friday, a judge decided the Harris County Sheriff's Office will make sure she is not late for her next setting.

"It's too late for sorry!" boomed state District Judge Vanessa Velasquez as Araguz tried to apologize for her tardiness.

"You were scheduled for a plea today," Velasquez said. "That's not going to happen now."

She admonished the 36-year-old, then ordered a bailiff to put her in a holding cell next to the courtroom.

"I'm sorry," Araguz started but was interrupted by the judge.

Tardy a second time

It was not the first time the polarizing defendant had raised the judge's blood pressure.

Araguz was expected to admit to stealing a Rolex from an acquaintance at a bar last year in exchange for 30 days in jail and restitution.

This was the second time Araguz was late to court, and it was not the first time a judge had to raise their voice.

In June, a visiting judge scolded Araguz for wearing a wireless microphone in court as she was being filmed for a documentary. A bailiff noticed a blinking red light under her shirt and found a transmitter clipped to her belt.

In July, she raised Velasquez's hackles by posting photos on Facebook of drinking at a social event. She said she thought her bail conditions prohibited her from going to bars, not drinking. The judge clarified that Araguz was required to stay sober while on bond.

Araguz's attorney, Jeff Downing, arrived after the commotion to find his client in a holding cell and a judge unwilling to go forward on a plea. He shook his head as the case was reset to Jan. 25.

Araguz, who was born Justin Graham Purdue, is fighting her husband's ex-wife for death benefits worth more than $600,000. Thomas Araguz, a Wharton County firefighter, was killed in a fire on July 4, 2010.

That case is winding its way though the appeals courts after a Wharton County judge ruled the marriage was not legally binding because Araguz was born a man.

Araguz, who has agreed to participate in a documentary about that lawsuit and a proposed reality show, will stay behind bars without bail for two weeks.

When she returns, she will be escorted by jailers and bailiffs from a cell to the courtroom beginning about 4 a.m.

Guilty plea delayed

Had she been on time Friday, she would have pleaded guilty to felony theft in exchange for paying back $2,800 and a 30-day jail sentence, which would have meant 15 days behind bars.

It is unclear whether that deal is still available, because the judge has to sign off on it.

As a bailiff catalogued the contents of Araguz's purse Friday, which included a small video camera and a second pair of shoes, he rolled his eyes while explaining she was going to lock-up because she could not get to court on time.

Also, he noted, she wanted to change shoes before being taken to jail.